Suicide Terrorism

Abstract

Here the key characteristics of suicide terrorists are discussed. The discussion mainly focuses on the results of empirical studies that have examined suicide terrorism with human participants who have been involved with suicide attacking in some way. The characteristics of suicide terrorists are compared with those of suicidal behavior more generally. Suicide terrorists are very different from those engaging in other suicidal behaviors and are unlikely to be suicidal. Based on these data, I suggest that it is currently not possible to identify those at risk of becoming a suicide attacker. Finally, I discuss some concrete ways in which to move forward with research on suicide terrorism, including the use of specific theories from social psychology (self-determination theory and the theory of planned behavior) and suicidology (cry of pain theory), as well as specific research techniques (e.g., the psychological autopsy).